Trestle Crossing developers to seek rehearing

On Wednesday, Sept. 20, the town's historic preservation commission will revisit a request to develop the proposed Trestle Crossing project in Black Mountain’s downtown historic district. 

At the 6 p.m. town hall meeting, developer Joe Cordell will request a rehearing on a certificate of appropriateness, which the board denied Aug. 16. The request involves proposed changes to the design of the two-story structure - the former Gingko Tree Gallery - next to 128 Broadway Ave., according to town zoning administrator Jennifer Tipton.

Gingko Tree Gallery occupied a building that decades ago housed an ice house.  In the plans that Cordell and his team presented during the commission's Aug. 16 meeting, a structure could be seen rising above the ice house building.

At the conclusion of the three-hour August meeting - one that filled the board room and an overflow room to capacity - the commission voted 3-2 to deny the certificate of appropriateness. Commissioner Shannon-Heather Wall cited the addition in the rear of the existing building as her reason for voting to deny the application.

The proposed development, which would also include the construction of a three-story building at 120 Broadway Ave.,  attracted the ire of community members who believe it would be too big. Cordell contended the building, designed by Black Mountain architect Maury Hurt, would blend in with the existing architecture in the district. 

On Sept. 20, Cordell and his team will ask the five-person commission to rehear their request to develop the property, according to Tipton. 

"The commission will then vote on whether or not to rehear it," she said. "(Developers) haven't submitted changes to the plans at this point, but will submit them if the commission votes to revisit their request."